4 Best Solar Companies in Clay, AL (2024 Reviews)
We analyzed over 1500 solar companies in the nation,
and have selected the top 4 in Clay based on:
Customer review scores- Service area for Clay, AL
- Company policies and services offered
- Accreditations and certifications
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Average Clay homeowner saves $1,803/year with solar panels
Why you can trust EcoWatch
Best Solar Companies in Clay
Thinking of going solar but not sure which solar company would be best for your needs? Although it can be difficult to pick a solar company, the effort will pay off because going solar has many good benefits. Due to its moderate amount of average daily sunlight, Clay has a good amount of solar growth, so a lot of the best solar companies in the nation have expanded to there to help residents adopt renewable energy.
The cost of installing solar panels can change significantly according to your home’s framework and your overall energy requirements.Read on to see our picks for the top solar companies in the city, or connect with a highly rated solar company in your area right away by clicking the button below.
EcoWatch Rankings for Solar Companies in Clay
Eagle Solar & Light
Informative Resources- Clear Pricing Policy
- Reliable Customer Support
- Free Quotes
Limited information available on website
Services Offered
Battery Storage- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Vulcan Solar Power, LLC
- Free Quotes
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Permit Assistance
- Panel Installation
- Consultation
Small Tech Solar
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Battery Storage
- Consultation
- Panel Installation
Solar Technology Alabama
- Clear Pricing Policy
- Free Quotes
- Informative Resources
- Reliable Customer Support
- Limited information available on website
Services Offered
- Grid-Tied Solar System
- Off-Grid Solar Systems
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Panel Installation
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best Solar Companies in Clay
EcoWatch's solar experts analyzed each solar company in Clay based on criteria such as its reputation in the industry, customer reviews, services, warranty coverage and financing. Using this solar methodology, we used the data we collected to rate and rank each company and narrow down our picks for the best solar companies in Clay
Below are some the criteria we examined specifically for Alabama solar companies
- Brand reputation and certifications (20%): We take each company's Better Business Bureau (BBB) score into consideration, as well as how long the installer has been in business (at least 5 years is required, 10 preferred) and what type of solar certifications it holds.
- Customer reviews (20%): Trust is a top priority at EcoWatch, so we take customer experience under close consideration. We scour different review sites and customer testimonials when ranking our top solar companies, checking sites such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We also consider any potential complaints or lawsuits filed against these companies and award or remove points accordingly.
- Warranty (20%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers 25-year warranties that cover performance, product and workmanship. The industry standard that we measure companies against is 25-year product and performance warranties, along with a 10-year workmanship warranty. We also look closely into the track record of the post-installation support each company provides in terms of honoring its contracts
- Solar services (10%): All of the companies we review install solar panels, but we award companies higher points if they offer additional services for customers, like battery installation, energy-efficiency audits, and EV chargers.
- Pricing and financing (10%): It's hard to get exact quotes for solar projects, but we use marketplace research to determine how each company prices its equipment and installation services. Additionally, companies that offer more help for panel financing — like in-house loans, leases, or PPAs — score higher than those that don't.
- Availability (10%): The bigger the service area, the higher the company will score.
- Transparency and accessibility (5%): Solar installers that offer free consultations and easy contact methods score higher in this category.
- Environmental, social and corporate governance factors (5%): A company earns a perfect score in this category if it offers public data disclosure, addresses end-of-life (EOL) products or processes, and demonstrates a commitment to uplifting the communities that it serves.
The Cost and Benefits of Solar in Clay
While solar panels can help save you a decent chunk of change on utility bills over time, it’s important to take into consideration the startup costs.Some key things that determine the cost and possible savings include:
- The kind of solar panel system you can afford: This is dependent on how much you’re willing to invest upfront.
- Average daily sunlight: Since Clay gets lots of sunlight, your solar panel system will most likely be able to generate enough energy to power your whole home, which influences how much your electricity bills will be.
- Incentives: Tax-paying citizens who buy and install a solar system this year can save 0 of their overall solar costs by taking advantage of the federal solar investment tax credit. You can also save about $21,000 on your utility bills over 20 years excluding incentives.
- Electricity consumption: The average home in Clay uses a lot of energy, and so may see more savings on electricity bills than other places.
So is buying solar panels worth it? Whether you’d like to decrease your electricity costs, carbon emissions or both, solar panels are a great investment for many Clay homeowners.
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Solar Incentives in Clay
Adopting solar power has lots of considerable benefits. Not only can it help preserve the planet, but you can also save some money on your installation with various government incentives.In addition to the federal solar investment tax credit, there are also some state- and city-level incentives, which in almost all cases, can be claimed in addition to the federal incentive, so you get to save even more. Take a look at our article on solar incentives to see what incentives you can take advantage of.
Environmental Impact of Switching to Solar in Clay
There are tons of reasons to trade traditional energy for solar energy, like saving on utility bills and helping to reduce your carbon footprint.Many homeowners might be wondering how much exactly they can impact the environment by switching to solar in Clay, though. If your family uses a lot of energy, you can have an even greater impact on the planet by switching to solar power.In Clay, the average resident can reduce their carbon footprint by 90 pounds a year after going solar. The benefits of solar power are infinite — just like solar power is! That's why so many homeowners have been happy with committing to solar.
EcoWatch's Clay, AL Solar Company Rankings FAQs
Which solar panel installer is the best near me?
The top local solar company in Clay is Eagle Solar & Light, with a rating of 3.00 stars.
Are solar panels actually bad for the environment?
Solar panels can be detrimental for the environment when manufacturers use toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process. Chemicals can make solar panels difficult to dispose of safely once they’ve reached the end of their lifespan. Making solar panels uses a lot of energy as well. The energy payback period is about 1 to 4 years.
How long does it take to see a return on your investment after getting solar panels?
Solar panels usually pay for themselves in about 10.8 years, but your solar payback period will vary based on your utility costs. The higher your typical electricity bill, the quicker your solar panel system will recoup your installation costs.
What is the best type of solar panel?
The different types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient but also more costly. Polycrystalline panels are cheaper but also less efficient than monocrystalline. Thin-film solar panels are flexible, so they can be used where the other types can’t, such as on curved surfaces or cars, but they are also less efficient. The best one for you depends on your budget, the layout of your roof and how much efficiency you're looking for.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert’s opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.